Ulcers
A peptic ulcer is an injury to the gastric mucous that looks like a deep sore, they occur on the areas of the digestive apparatus that are within the reach of the gastric acids in action. It manifests itself with constant abdominal pain, burning, sensation of hunger, they can appear at the mouth of the stomach or towards the sides of the same area, generally on the right side.
In general, the pain goes away when you eat something, since the food covers the ulcer and is being absorbed by the acid, thus not damaging the ulcer and just the food, but after 1 or 2 hours, the stomach is empty again and the pain reappears since the ulcer is exposed again to the gastric acid, this usually wakes up the patient at night (since it’s when more acid is being produced).
Gastric Ulcers generate many symptoms: the sensation of vague inflammation and nausea, as well as indigestion, loss of appetite and weight loss are common, also cases of gastrointestinal hemorrhage (vomiting of fresh or old blood, which is black colored and black stools). One of the factors that produce more gastric ulcers is the ingestion of pain killers and other medications, as well as antibiotics and some type of vitamins, combined all of this to emotional stress.
What to do?
- Consult your doctor for a complete evaluation, which will include a clinical history, physical exploration and probably an endoscopy exam to evaluate the severity of the ulcerous problem and to be able to give out an appropriate treatment to the damage.
- Your doctor will give out a diet to follow, he’ll take away any aggressive medication and he’ll give you a new treatment with a specific time frame and medication needed in order to cure completely your ulcer.
